Seven reasons to give thanks on Thanksgiving Eve

Forget Thanksgiving: For many people, the official holiday is Thanksgiving Eve -- one of the busiest days of the year for partying. Many bars will be offering parties, but you have other, more sober options, including several fundraisers for worthy causes. And no matter what you wind up doing tomorrow, you should have great stories to share around the dinner table the following day. Here are seven things to do on Thanksgiving Eve.

(And if you have more suggestions, post them in the comments section below.)

7. Stoney's Bar and Grill Turkey Bowling Night
Grab your best (only) pair of bowling shoes and get ready to knock down some pins at Stoney's. For the second year in a row, Stoney's will grease up the floor and let you have your way with a turkey and ten pins. The event is totally free, and there are drink specials -- $4 Blue Moons and 2-for-1 Bacardi Oakheart drinks.

6. Thanksgiving Eve Canned Food Drive at Lucky Strike, Denver Pavilions
Bring canned goods to Lucky Strike at the Denver Pavilion on Wednesday, November 21, and you'll strike it rich with a free game. Sadly, you don't get more free games for each can you donate, but you do get the satisfaction of giving back...

5. High Tea at Molly Brown House Museum
Nothing beats getting out of the house, especially when all your family comes to town for the holidays. If you can't escape without your relatives, take them to the Molly Brown House Museum for a guided tour complete with tea and sandwiches. The two tours on Thanksgiving Eve start at 10:45 a.m. and 12:45 p.m., and the cost per person is $25.

4. Thanksgiving Eve Skate at Edge Ice Arena
Edge Ice Arena in Littleton is offering a free skate rental with the donation of a nonperishable food item that will go to the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office Food Drive. The two skate sessions on November 21 are from noon to 2 p.m. and 7:30 to 9:30 p.m.; rink fees prices are $7 for those 18+, $5 for 6-17, and $3 for those under 6.

3. Thanksgiving Eve at Howl at the Moon
With dueling pianos playing in the background, Howl at the Moon will be offering a bottomless cup (for booze, or whatever your poison happens to be) for just $15 on the eve of a foodie's dream day. You'll also find $4 Fireball shots, as well as a lot of people who want to celebrate not having to work the next day.

2. Pour House Pub
Do good for a good cause tonight: The Pour House Pub is having a Hurricane Sandy Relief Benefit starting at 5 p.m. on November 21, and all proceeds from the night will go to the Seaside Heights Fire Department in New Jersey.

1. Scruffy Murphy's
Give thanks for your good health by going to Scruffy Murphy's on November 21, and donating to a very good cause: Employee Jonathan Hammond was shot outside the Nas/Lauren Hill concert on Friday night while protecting himself/his date from being robbed by what Scruffy's owner John Elliiott calls "two piece-of-shit thugs." Hammond faces several surgeries; proceeds proceeds from a silent auction as well as the sale of products donated by Heinekin will go to his health-care costs.